Minister of National Defense Yaşar Güler met with district governor candidates. In his speech, Güler made evaluations about Turkey's security policies, regional developments and the work carried out within the scope of the Terror-Free Türkiye target.
Stating that Turkey is not a country that only monitors the developments in its nearby geography, Güler said that the country has become an important actor contributing to the maintenance of peace and stability in a wide region from the Balkans to the Caucasus, from the Middle East to Africa.
Güler said, "Today, Turkey is not a country that watches the developments in its immediate geography. On the contrary, our country is an important actor that contributes to the maintenance of peace and stability in a wide geography stretching from the Balkans to the Caucasus, from the Middle East to Africa, is trusted by its friends, whose opinions are asked and whose contribution is sought on many issues."
“THE AGREEMENT WE SIGNED IN MECCA IS A HISTORICAL STEP”
Referring to the strategic cooperations developed by Turkey, Güler stated that the Joint Defense Agreement signed in Mecca is an important example.
Güler said, "The Joint Defense Agreement we signed in Mecca is one of the most recent examples of the strategic cooperation we have developed."
Stating that the agreement reveals the common will of three friendly countries, Güler said, "This strong will of three friendly countries, which have critical facilities and capabilities and are based on collective deterrence, is a historical step that strengthens our deep-rooted bonds of brotherhood and understanding of mutual trust on a strategic ground."
Stating that Turkey's deterrent power, the level it has reached in the defense industry, diplomatic relations and strategic partnerships further strengthen the country's international position, Güler stated that these elements increase Turkey's influence.
“THE GOAL OF A TERRORISM-FREE Türkiye HAS A STRATEGIC NATURE”
Emphasizing that one of the strongest foundations of a country's power abroad is internal unity, peace and stability, Güler said that in the understanding of national security, they attach importance to strengthening the domestic front as much as developments beyond the borders.
Güler said, "For this reason, when addressing our national security, we attach great importance to the fortification of our internal front as well as the developments beyond our borders."
Stating that the Terror-Free Turkey target, carried out under the leadership of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, has a strategic importance for the future of the country, Güler stated that this process aims to make the security gains permanent and completely remove terrorism from the country's agenda.
Güler said, "As the civil administrators of the future, you should know very well that the environment of trust and peace established today in our country, especially in Eastern and Southeastern Anatolia, is not easily achieved."
Stating that the success achieved in the fight against terrorism is the result of years of great sacrifices, Güler drew attention to the importance of coordination between the Ministry of National Defense, the Ministry of Internal Affairs and the National Intelligence Organization.
Güler said, "Our heroic gendarmerie, heroic police officers and security guards, especially our heroic Mehmetçik, have fought hard against terrorism over the years and paid great prices."
Emphasizing that these sacrifices are behind the atmosphere of peace and security, Güler said that it is everyone's responsibility to protect the gains achieved through the sacrifices made by martyrs and veterans.
“WE WANT PEACE AND STABILITY TO PREVAIL IN OUR REGION”
Touching on the role of Mehmetçik in the fight against terrorism, Güler stated that security gains should be made permanent, unity and solidarity should be strengthened and terrorism should be completely ended.
Güler said, "We cannot be proud enough of our Mehmetçik, the representative of sacrifice and heroism. Our duty today is to make these security gains permanent, further strengthen the unity and solidarity of our nation, and completely remove terrorism and violence from our country's agenda."
Güler said that an important threshold has been crossed on the path to a Terror-Free Türkiye with the entry into force of the Law on Strengthening National Solidarity and Social Integration adopted by the Gazi Parliament.
Stating that the National Solidarity and Integration Coordination Board, established within the scope of the law, has started its work, Güler stated that the process is being carried out without compromising security and taking into account the sensitivities of the nation.
Stating that it is aimed to eliminate terrorist structures across the border in line with the terrorist-free zone target, which constitutes the regional dimension of the terrorist-free Türkiye target, Güler said that they want peace and stability to prevail in the region.
Güler said, "In this context, we are closely following the developments in ending the armed presence of terrorist organizations in Syria and strengthening the state authority, for the security of our country and our region."
IMPORTANT DUTIES FALL FOR CIVIL ADMINISTRATION OFFICER
Stating that with the complete elimination of the impact of terrorism, wider opportunities for trust, stability, development and cooperation will arise on both sides of the borders, Güler said that the goal of a Terror-Free Turkey is not limited only to the security area.
Güler stated that this goal is also a development and social integration move for the future of the country that will strengthen the thousand-year-old brotherhood.
Stating that civil administrators have important responsibilities in mobilizing local development opportunities more strongly, Güler said that district governor candidates, especially those who will serve in regions affected by terrorism for many years, should strengthen the bond between the state and the citizens.
Güler said, "Especially, our colleagues who will work in regions affected by terrorism for many years will further strengthen the bond between the state and the citizens and deliver public services to the remotest point, which will make vital contributions to the rooting of our Terror-Free Turkey goal on the social ground."
